Starry Sky Professional

The subterranean temporary camp.

After completing his purchases on the black market, Fang Xing chose an underground ruin to open the Gate of Myriad Worlds.

'Goods worth over ten million are a bit conspicuous...'

'Better to vanish for a bit, stay here for a few days before heading back...'

Fang Xing checked the surveillance. With a real cultivator in the Foundation Establishment realm stationed at Qinglin Market, he dared not dispatch too many drones, nor approach too closely, only keeping watch from afar.

"Hmm, aside from Qingxuan Sect sending more people to the Five Scorpion Valley secret realm, nothing major has happened..."

"Who would have thought, that secret realm discovered by Chen Yi back in the day would eventually threaten the lives of Foundation Establishment cultivators and even attract those in the Core Formation realm... I'm more interested in his storage bag now."

With a sigh, he moved to another area.

There, laid out were items just acquired from the black market: the 'Giant Wave RDT93', revealing water, the shadow box, and LIQ714 stock solution...

It was clear he wouldn’t be taking these back to his original world.

At this moment, Fang Xing flipped open the black notebook-like 'Giant Wave RDT93' and placed Chen Yi's 'Blood Refined Tool' — the Ink Pattern Sword on it.

Beep beep!

With the machine humming to life, radiant light enveloped the sword.

After half an hour, a report was transmitted to Fang Xing.

"Unnamed sword-shaped weapon, length 110.2 centimeters, weight 8172 grams, primarily composed of an unknown alloy, with a 94.9% similarity to 'Ink Iron Alloy' and an 89.7% similarity to 'Titanium Black Gold'..."

"It possesses unknown patterns, requiring activation by special energies. Its craftsmanship bears an 88.55% similarity to the 'Blood Snail Clan's' engraving techniques!"

"As expected, unknown metal, along with unknown techniques..."

Fang Xing nodded quietly, dismissing the similarity percentages, knowing even humans share over 90% of their genes with pigs!

As long as the similarity isn’t 100% or over 99.9999%, there's essentially no correlation.

He continued reading the report until the last page, when suddenly he froze:

"It possesses an unknown structure... requiring a special mental waveform key for determination..."

At the very bottom, there was a 3D scan of the Mo Wen Sword, appearing both transparent and illusory.

Now, using this scan, Fang Xing could clearly see that something was concealed inside where the hilt and blade connected—something hidden all along!

It was a thumb-sized token, looking as black as ordinary iron, yet somehow smelted into the Mo Wen Sword.

Despite using this sword many times, he had never discovered it!

'Damn, is this for mocking me as a warrior, not a cultivator? Even after blood sacrifices, I can't perceive the hidden secrets?'

'Why did Chen Yi hide this secret inside the sword? Could it be that he too was under surveillance at the time, too overwhelmed to care properly? Did he devise a plan to hide the secret away and casually give it to a warrior... planning to retrieve it in the future?'

'This... gives me a weird sense of déjà vu. Have I become the stooge? Ugh, I refuse to accept that...’

'But back then, that fool discovered his destiny inside a mere pancake, and rose to glory... Could my opportunity be here as well?'

'But clearly, I must first retrieve this token... It seems like I'll need some kind of secret technique, or perhaps just destroy the sword outright...'

Having reached this decision, Fang Xing retrieved the concealed box and a chaotic assortment of test tubes and beakers; his demeanor becoming more serious, like an ersatz researcher donning a lab coat, as he began to mix the visible water with LIQ714 fluid.

Half an hour later, a strange liquid surfaced from the concealed box.

It appeared clear and transparent, yet seemed to emit a spectrum of colors.

“The properties of the Bai Ze Liquid are extremely unstable, capable of existing for only ten minutes even with the preservation of a concealed box... which is why the Prevention Bureau eventually abandoned it.”

Fang Xing hurriedly took out the Bai Ze Liquid and dripped it onto the Mo Wen Sword.

One drop, two drops...

Like it possessed life, the Bai Ze Liquid transformed into a watery film that enveloped the entire sword.

Then, the spectral glow dissipated, falling like ordinary water off the blade.

“Clear as water, without a trace of black... There's no need for spectrum analysis to confirm that this sword has no hint of Evil God contamination...”

Witnessing this, Fang Xing silently nodded: “As expected... items related to cultivation have nothing to do with the Evil Gods... Now, it’s time to initiate the second plan, tossing some talismans and trinkets into the black market, then reporting them to the Prevention Bureau...”

...

Days later.

The sky was overcast, with snowflakes gently falling.

As usual, Fang Xing walked along the riverside street on his way to school.

"Morning, Captain Jing Xia!"

A woman dressed in sportswear, walking her dog, greeted him. She was none other than Jing Xia, the head of the Prevention Bureau's Action Unit.

"Morning..."

Jing Xia yawned lazily.

"How is the Gate Sect... faring?"

Fang Xing paused, feeling involved in the matter, and decided to inquire.

"We've dismantled a few strongholds and caught and killed quite a few people... Unfortunately, the ones underneath are mostly useless. We've only grabbed some small fry..."

Jing Xia seemed to trust Fang Xing or perhaps felt he had the right to know as a person involved in the case. "At least the Gate Sect's influence in Maple Leaf City has been largely cleared. They shouldn't bother you anymore... I finally completed part of my work and can relax a bit."

"That's truly wonderful news."

Fang Xing smiled joyously, not feeling the slightest guilt about secretly smuggling cultivation items into the black market.

After parting ways, Fang Xing entered Yu Cai High School.

'Actually, being exposed isn't much of an issue. Martial arts realms can be built with resources, but martial arts willpower is another story... Even if it's there, I can't access such resources, so they can only assume I have extraordinary comprehension.'

'Now, my cultivation speed is accelerating beyond previous plans. By winter break, I should become a Jade Talent... By the end of sophomore year, during the Hundred-Star Exams, maybe I could even challenge the Fourth Realm?'

Apart from those top-tier universities, most students only certify as professionals during or after college.

To certify as a professional during high school is to be a genius among geniuses, the kind who secures a recommendation to a prestigious university!

Yet, for top-tier universities, one must rely on their own efforts!

Entering the classroom, Fang Xing listened attentively to Teacher Lan Fei's lecture.

Every advancement in martial arts provides feedback to the practitioner.

After refining his bones, his mental acuity had surged, understanding became easier, and classes more effortless.

'This is nothing. Once you reach the Puyu Realm, even a mediocre person will become a true gem... This is a significant breakthrough!'

While pondering this, Xia Long suddenly appeared outside the classroom. "Apologies, Teacher Lanfei... The principal wants to see Fang Xing, Liu Wei, and Bai Lianyi!"

"Of course, that's fine. You three students, please try not to disturb the others in class."

Lanfei smiled as she spoke.

"Teacher Xia Long... does the principal need us for something?"

The trio exited through the back door of the classroom, with Liu Wei directly asking.

"Yes, Star City High School has sent a teacher to visit our public class as part of a normal exchange..."

Xia Long replied. "The principal of Star City High School has a bit of a private grudge against Principal Lu, but that's not important. All you need to know is this: crush the top students they bring!"

"That straightforward?" Fang Xing was somewhat surprised. "No public class first and then a reason for a competition?"

Such directness seemed a bit too abrupt.

Xia Long merely chuckled coldly, "As martial artists, we must pursue directness! I don't want to waste time. Go and challenge them directly; put them all down. If you don't, I'll put you down!"

He clenched his fist, and the air seemed to explode with sound.

No one present could ignore the threat of an external martial arts master!

"No problem, is there a reward for winning?"

Fang Xing asked.

"Does the principal's favor count? Does bringing honor to the school count?"

Xia Long retorted.

'Sigh, I should have known from the special scholarship that this school is stingy...'

Fang Xing sighed, following Xia Long to the playground.

Principal Lu Guangming was absent, with only several female teachers accompanying the group on their tour. The delegation from Star City High School was small, consisting of one teacher and three students.

The teacher, in his thirties, wore wired-rim glasses, exuding a scholarly yet sinister aura... Alright, Fang Xing had to admit, his own prejudice was causing him to perceive the opponent as unseemly.

Behind him stood three students, appearing to be around sixteen or seventeen years old. Two boys and a girl, all dressed in matching school uniforms, embodying youthful vibrance.

“Teacher Xia, have you brought your university's seeds?”

Leading the group from Star City High School was a teacher named Sun Fu. With a gentle demeanor, he gazed at Fang Xing and the others with admiration in his eyes, “Indeed, all are elite talents.”

“Cut the nonsense, you, surnamed Sun, came here just to provoke, didn't you? Alright then... let’s test each other’s worth!”

Xia Long sneered, “Liu Wei, you’re up!”

Liu Wei's expression remained unchanged as he stepped forward, “I'm Liu Wei. Who's coming up?”

“Oh, Teacher Xia Long, you misunderstand me.”

Sun Fu adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, with a look of helplessness, “Ming Yixin, you go. Remember, everyone is here to learn from each other, friendship first.”

“Yes, sir!”

The female student among the three stepped out.

Her eyebrows were slender, her features gentle, yet her eyes held a firm resolve.

Fang Xing's gaze descended to observe her hands.

Ming Yixin’s hands were neither fair nor tender; instead, they were slightly rough and calloused.

These were hands forged through countless trials!

‘This girl’s hand technique is remarkable...’

Fang Xing sighed inwardly. Liu Wei had already engaged with Ming Yixin.

“Hah!”

Liu Wei let out a soft cry, his muscles undulating like flowing water, transforming him instantly into a small giant.

Boom!

Opposite him, Ming Yixin darted forward with an arrow-like stride, her right hand splaying her fingers open, as if carrying the force of wind and thunder. It sounded like a fierce gale passing through a canyon, emitting a terrifying wail!

Grade A Martial Art—Soul-Seeking Dragon Claw!

]

61. Chapter 61: Reward

"Hmm?" Xia Long frowned, "Are they now teaching such dangerous martial techniques at Xingcheng High School?"

The Soul-Searching Dragon Claw technique and the Ultimate Emotion Sword, both are considered too dangerous. Although categorized as A-Class martial arts, they are not part of the high school curriculum. Clearly, they are beyond the standard syllabus.

"Hehe, this is not taught by us, but rather a family tradition of our student Ming..." Sun Fu replied with a stiff smile. "This student Liu Wei is truly lucky, having awakened a special ability most suited for tempering the body. He must have already advanced to the second realm by now, right?"

No sooner had Sun finished speaking than Liu Wei roared, his entire body taut like a drawn bowstring, displaying the prowess of a muscle-refining warrior.

With a tiger-like stride, he spread his arms wide and charged towards Ming Yixin, opting to meet attack with attack!

The Frenzied Eighteen Strikes - Mad Tiger Style!

It was Dragon versus Tiger!

The scene filled with turbulent winds, resembling a fierce clash between a dragon and a tiger. Two figures danced wildly through the air, with energy surging outward.

"As expected... this Liu Wei has indeed broken into the second realm of martial arts. His Frenzied Eighteen Strikes are quite impressive." Sun Fu commented to the two students beside him.

"Hmm?" At the sight, Xia Long immediately furrowed his brow. With such an aura, the opponent evidently had some solid backing.

"A mere muscle-refining warrior."

In that moment, Ming Yixin let out a long howl, his joints popping inch by inch, his finger snapping with a sound like iron clashing.

"Bone-refining as steel?!"

Xia Long sighed upon seeing this, knowing that Liu Wei was defeated.

Indeed, facing Ming Yixin’s claw with the added strength of bone refinement, Liu Wei stumbled back several steps, five bloody holes suddenly appearing on his chest, blood continuously flowing from them.

"To think it's bone-refining, I admit defeat..." Liu Wei cupped his hands, his eyes dim, filled with a sense of disheartenment.

"Hmm?" Fang Xing observed this scene, feeling a stir in his heart.

He had gone out to work with Liu Wei before, and after seeing Liu's fake moves numerous times, he was aware of certain habits and actions that the latter exhibited.

“With this appearance now... it kind of looks like a feigned attack. Is he holding something back? Who is he planning to ambush?”

The top student from the previous year thought with some concern.

“Would you like to take a break, Ming?”

Xia Long looked towards Ming Yixin.

“No need, please continue.” Ming Yixin kept her eyes on Fang Xing and Bai Lianyi, focusing more on the latter.

Clearly, she was somewhat curious about other girls.

“I can't even beat Liu Wei, I'm no match for you... I'm sorry, teacher.”

A hint of shame appeared on Bai Lianyi's face.

Xia Long glared at Fang Xing.

“Alright, alright, I'm going up!”

Fang Xing had nothing more to say; he could joke around before, but now he must step up.

After all, with all the support Xia Long had given him previously, how could he negotiate terms now?

Whoosh!

The sky was overcast, with light snow falling.

“My name is Fang Xing...”

Fang Xing looked up at the sky and yawned.

“Let's end this boring farce quickly...”

“You...”

Ming Yixin's expression was impassive, yet her body moved with the grace and speed of a dragon.

Suddenly!

Roar!

It seemed as though a real dragon appeared before her eyes!

—The Essence of the Dragon!

This was not an imitation of the A-Level martial skill's intent! But the genuine martial will belonging to a warrior of the Courageous Realm!

Although they had trained in A-level martial arts and developed some mental resistance—a fact demonstrated in their previous battle with Liu Wei, where neither side was affected—this was merely against ordinary simulated intents.

Before a true martial spirit, it was as fragile as a sandcastle against a wave!

Boom! § It was as if a dam had burst. Ming Yixin seemed to regress to her childhood, standing roadside as if facing a fierce tiger!

No! This presence was a hundred times more terrifying than any tiger! § Her body trembled, immobilized in fear. Fang Xing moved like the wind to stand before her, gently brushing her hair aside: "You lost..."

"I... lost..." Ming Yixin responded, dazed. § "Is that... the Dragon’s Intent? Mastered at just the second stage?" § Sun Fu crushed his own glasses in astonishment: "Genius! A true martial arts genius!" § He gazed at Fang Xing as if regarding a rare treasure, then turned to two students nearby, "No need for you to compete. It’s certain you’ll lose." § "Unbelievable..."

Liu Wei watched with clenched fists. "No wonder he’s the top of the grade, truly formidable!" § What does mastering martial will signify?

It signifies that on the path of the martial artist, there are no true barriers!

Such a person, as long as they survive their military service, is destined to achieve a status akin to Guo Yun's father, truly achieving societal ascension! § "You kid!" § Xia Long said nothing more, just patted Fang Xing on the shoulder.

While martial arts realms can be improved with resources, martial will—the awakening of it on Eagle Star where no resources exist to induce it—suggests how exceptional this student has become. § Remembering Fang Xing’s performance back in his first year, Xia Long could only marvel.

Initially, he only noticed that the other was making constant progress, each step steady and assured.

Now, not only is it steady, but the strides are also surprisingly large!

"You, come with me!"

Xia Long grabbed Fang Xing with one swift motion, and his figure moved as if he was floating in mid-air, bringing them into a classroom.

"Wow? Teacher, you can actually fly?"

Fang Xing exclaimed in shock.

"Martial arts' 'outer scene' is essentially the ability to influence the material world with one's spirit. I'm not truly flying; I'm just creating a foothold in mid-air using the power of my outer scene, akin to a flying technique!"

Xia Long explained seriously, "To truly fly with the flesh, you would need the Martial Dao Golden Core..."

'Your martial arts seem lacking. At least from what I know, a foundational cultivator can float their body in the air...'

Fang Xing silently ridiculed in his heart, then asked, "So why did you bring me here, teacher?"

"Nothing much, just noticed that your martial arts progress has been quite rapid... Judging from your body's reflexes earlier, have you reached the bone-refining stage?"

Xia Long inquired, "Are you feeling any discomfort? Do you need a physical examination? We martial artists fear nothing more than hidden injuries when laying foundations, remaining unnoticed until the irreversible moment of needing to condense the flawless Golden Core, which would then require a hundredfold of effort to remedy..."

He spoke with deep emotion, as if he had experienced it firsthand.

"I'm fine, but it's you, teacher..."

Fang Xing looked at Xia Long, his teacher was built like an ox, surely not this fragile?

"There's nothing to hide. When I was young and foolish, I left behind hidden injuries, making it difficult to condense my Core. Otherwise, I wouldn't be here teaching... If I had been more cautious, I'd at least be a principal by now."

Xia Long sighed with emotion.

"Can't the Federal medical technology today heal these old injuries from youth?"

Fang Xing asked gravely. Even limb regrowth isn't considered a complex surgery nowadays.

"...These are old battlefield ailments, not just physical..."

Xia Long seemed to recall something, his presence suddenly exuding an aura of a blood-drenched battlefield.

Fang Xing wisely did not press further, only saying, "Is there anything I can do to help you, teacher?"

"You can help me indeed. I've accumulated nearly enough merits, only lacking one achievement... If you manage to get into a top-tier university, I'd be eligible to apply for a 'Source Sea Level Healing Chamber Full-Body Restoration'..."

Xia Long chuckled as if joking. In his mind, Fang Xing getting into a university was a certainty, but for a top-tier one, some effort was still needed.

"As for top-tier? That's still a bit out of reach!"

"After all, the Federation is vast, with countless galaxies, and educational planets number in the millions. Only a handful of top-tier universities exist, and every year, it's a battle of prodigies!"

"Ordinary geniuses don't even qualify to compete."

"A top-tier university, huh? Got it. I've been meaning to buy a house on Blue Star…" Fang Xing let out a faint smile.

"Alright, alright, I'm counting on you," Xia Long grinned. "Enough with the small talk, you've brought honor to the school this time. What kind of reward do you want?"

"I fought for the school's honor, why would I need a reward?" Fang Xing feigned righteousness.

"Horses run best when fed," Xia Long chuckled, "Besides... are you really planning to save money for Lu Guangming? A martial arts master in making, do you think he cares about such things?"

"That's true…"

Fang Xing nodded, beginning to ponder seriously about what he needed.

After a long thought, he finally said, "I've had some insights into the Great Dragon and Subduing Tiger Stances, and my progress is swift. At this rate, I might attempt to break through the Jade Stage by winter break..."

"Hmm? So soon? But the Dragon and Tiger Stances are the foundations of martial arts. You've pushed the Great Dragon Stance to the fourth stage, which indeed speeds up your training."

Xia Long did not deny this: "However, aren't you underestimating the bottleneck too much? Even if you've mastered Skin of Jade, Muscles of Iron, and Bones of Steel... breaking through the Jade Stage isn't merely about effort. Such a bottleneck might trap a martial artist for a lifetime, only a bloodied battle could break through..."

‘That's because I have remedies... but that's not necessary to mention,’ Fang Xing sighed inwardly. "Does the school have resources that can assist me in breaking through the Jade Stage?"

"No, that's out of the question,"

Xia Long shook his head: "The Federation strictly controls resources for breakthroughs on educational planets, wishing to sieve out truly exceptional talents…"

"Alright then, after I break through the Jade Stage, I should be able to learn new martial arts. If the school insists on rewarding, I want to start learning ahead of the winter break for self-study convenience."

Fang Xing stated his plan.

The lesson from summer break was not something he wanted to repeat.

He must first acquire key martial arts knowledge to prevent being caught unprepared.

"A martial artist at the Jade Stage has a breath as long as jade, polishing themselves constantly…" Xia Long's face turned serious: "In theory, an A-grade martial art should suffice until the Bravery Stage. However, you seem insatiable, what do you want to learn?"

"Let's choose a method to enhance our physical strength. For us martial artists, a strong physique is the foundation for everything in the future..."

Fang Xing sighed with emotion.

Only when you can stand tall can you deliver power—this is an undeniable truth!

]

(End of Chapter)